Hamas militants launched a surprise attack from the Gaza Strip into Israeli towns, killing dozens and abducting others during a major Jewish holiday, AP News reports.
Hamas launched more than 3.500 rockets as militants entered as many as 22 locations outside the Gaza Strip, killing dozens and abducting others.
At least 250 people were killed and 1,500 wounded in the attack, making it the deadliest in Israel in decades, according to Israeli media.
Israel responded with airstrikes against the Gaza Strip, killing at least 232 people and injuring 1,700 others, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the country is now at war, preparing a potential ground assault into Gaza.
